Build Bluebonnet - 5.3/H55 FJ40

[SipLife]

I’ve been painting for the past few days. Worked on this set of 5 stock 40 rims I picked up from @Tank5. Wire wheeled the rust putting on the surface and finished them up in Rustoleum Dark Machine Grey, pretty close match to OEM.

 

[SipLife]

Also Painted my 70 series rear axle shafts and 60 series TREs

 

[Tank5]

The wheels look good keep it up.

 

[SipLife]

Next order of business was front and rear seat disassembly. Stripped them down to the frames and the foam looks good.

 

[SipLife]

Finished the frames in gloss black and jump seats and seat back covers in Rustoleum Stainless steel. New hardware and covers are on the way.

 

[Engineer8000]

I’ve been painting for the past few days. Worked on this set of 5 stock 40 rims I picked up from @Tank5. Wire wheeled the rust putting on the surface and finished them up in Rustoleum Dark Machine Grey, pretty close match to OEM.

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I did the same, only I used satin black. I put on a few coats of clear on top of that and it has held up nicely for several years.

 

[SipLife]

Reassembled the 70 series rear axle with new shoes and brake cylinders. Planning on using a 4 plus ubolt flip kit w shock mount to accommodate for the shock mount lost from the stock FJ40 spring perch. OME lift kit is otw.

 

[SipLife]

Started mock-up of the 60 series power steering box. Carved away at the stock Fj40 shock tower while maintaining 2 full ribs perpendicular to each other for support.

The original plan was to plate both sides of the frame but plating the outside of the frame would move the u-joint too far into the center of the shock tower. After consulting with a few mud members we decided it would be safe to do without the outer frame plate.

Drilled both sides of the frame and lined up the plate and DOM tubing with the box mounted and burned it in.

Ground the outer frame channel flush

Plan on boxing this portion of the frame next, need to purchase more steel.

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

Looking good my friend.

 

[cruisermatt]

Make sure to check that the drag link doesnt hit the left spring when left front is in compression - you may end up wanting to swap to a 80 series pitman arm

 

[Engineer8000]

Sorry I have to ask, what is this?

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Post #103 onwards might explain it. @silplife’s younger brothers first ever build.

A journey with my boys- The Elf Barn as I call it.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[SipLife]

Make sure to check that the drag link doesnt hit the left spring when left front is in compression - you may end up wanting to swap to a 80 series pitman arm

Thanks for the heads up Matt, will keep that in mind once I get the drag link and tie rod located.

 

[SipLife]

Looking good my friend.

Thanks Casey!

 

[SipLife]

Got my new tires mounted and balanced, 33/10.5/r15s. Went with all terrain BFG K02s since KM3s seem to be sold out everywhere.

 

[SipLife]

The 2.5” lift OME goodies came in today. Installed the new springs and bushings and torqued and greased everything up. The new kit didn’t come with new hardware for the shocks so will get those in later.

Also moved my rear axle to the forwards hole because OME tends to move the rear axle too far forwards in the wheel well and it looks funky. Thanks for the heads up @cruisermatt

 

[cruisermatt]

I’m working on my patina 71 right now. I can’t wait to see that blue pop with the CLR and fluid film treatment. It’s going to be amazing

your lower U-bolt plates with the shock mounts are on backwards though

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

I’m working on my patina 71 right now. I can’t wait to see that blue pop with the CLR and fluid film treatment. It’s going to be amazing

your lower U-bolt plates with the shock mounts are on backwards though

Per Dave Gore at 4plus, install of lower shock mount is correct. You must be thinking of 60 series where shocks are in front of axle?

 

[zerotreedelta]

The 2.5” lift OME goodies came in today. Installed the new springs and bushings and torqued and greased everything up. The new kit didn’t come with new hardware for the shocks so will get those in later.

Also moved my rear axle to the forwards hole because OME tends to move the rear axle too far forwards in the wheel well and it looks funky. Thanks for the heads up @cruisermatt

Interesting - didn't realize that's a thing. What's the scoop there? I put on a OME 2.5, and I'd agree that the rear axle did seem a smidge forward. Chassis is still all bare, so now is the time for me to tweak anything.

 

[Dizzy]

Had my OEM (I know they don't fit, but, this was in the days of dial-up internet) and, later, Rancho 2" springs rub 33s on the front of the rear wheel well. I finally moved the axle back, so I didn't loose any more Mud Terrain knob with suspension compression. That 40 had a horrible ride, but, it looked great, standing tall with high heels, and all. No driveshaft mods for the extra spring curve, and extended wheelbase, but, I also had a (longer) SM420 to replace the 3-speed that drank water, probably thru the shift tower, so I didn't worry about fully extending the (shorty) factory slip yoke.